Litochoro (Greek, Modern ??t?????, Ancient/
Katharevousa ??t??????, older form
Litochoron) is a town and municipality located in the southern part of the prefecture of
Pieria at the base of
Mount Olympus. The town is about 90&_160;km from
Thessaloniki, on the western shore of the
Thermaic Gulf. The first recorded mention of Litochoro is in an account of a visit by Saint Dionysus (Greek ????? ?????s???) to Mount Olympus.
[citation needed] The town is a popular destination for those wishing to climb Mount Olympus as almost all climbing routes begin to the southwest of the town.
Litochoro is located 22&_160;km S of Katerini, 90&_160;km SSW of Thessaloniki, 58&_160;km N of Larissa and 420&_160;km WNW of Athens, on the eastern slopes of Mount Olympus, of mythological fame as the home of the twelve gods of Olympus. Pine, cedar and fir trees of the forests of Mount Olympus lie to the southwest and northwest. Much of the land around Litochoro, in particular to the South, remains uncultivated. Farmland is predominant to the North. Litochoro has several restaurants and cafeterias.
East of the town of Litochoro is an extended coastal area known as Pláka or Pláka Litochorou (????a ??t??????), spreading from the foot of Olympus to the Thermaic Gulf and extending from Leptokarya in the south to Gritsa in the north. The E75 highway national road passes through the area of Plaka to the south of Litochoro. The coast mainly consists of sandy beaches with seaside resorts as well as hotels, campsites, restaurants, and beach bars, (which mostly operate during the summer season from June to September). In the area of Plaka there are private residences, luxurious villas, and cottages.
North-east of Litochoro (North from Pláka) the costal area continues, known by the name Gritsa or Gritsa Litochorou (G??tsa ??t??????) extending from Pláka in the south to Variko in the north. Sandy beaches can also be found here (as in Pláka) but the tourist facilities are much less than Pláka's. Yet here are some cottages and a luxury hotel (Dion resort). Gritsa is also the port of Litochoro though its capacity is restricted.
